JP2007271216A - Control device and control method of multi-room air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adjust demand from each room in selecting one operation mode from a plurality of operation modes in a multi-room air conditioner having a heat source unit switchable to the plurality of operation modes different in noise reduction levels. <P>SOLUTION: A heat source side control portion 20 of the air conditioner 1 comprises an operation mode assigning portion 22 and an operation mode setting portion 23. The air conditioner 1 has a heat source unit 2 and a plurality of use units 3. The heat source unit 2 is switchable to the plurality of operation modes different in noise reduction levels. The operation mode assigning portion 22 assigns one operation mode to each of the use units 3 in operation. The operation mode setting portion 23 sets the heat source unit 2 to the prescribed operation mode in a case when the prescribed operation modes are assigned to all of the use units 3 in operation on the basis of the operation modes respectively assigned to the use units 3 in operation by the operation mode assigning portion 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device and a control method for a multi-room air conditioner having a heat source unit that can be switched to a plurality of operation modes having different silence levels.

Usually, electric devices with relatively high operating noise such as a compressor and a fan are installed in the heat source unit of the air conditioner, and such operating noise may cause noise. Therefore, in addition to the normal operation mode, the heat source unit disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a silent operation mode that achieves silent operation by setting appropriate limits on the upper limit values of the compressor operating frequency and fan rotation speed. Has been.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-103546

  By the way, there is a difference in the degree of noise caused to the rooms by the operation of the heat source unit between the room where the heat source unit is installed just outside the window and the room which is located relatively far from the heat source unit. In this way, even if it is received from the same heat source unit, the effect varies from room to room, and there are individual differences, so whether you want to operate the heat source unit in normal operation mode or silent operation mode, Alternatively, when the silent operation mode is provided with a multi-stage silent level, it is assumed that the request for which silent level to operate is different for each room.

  However, in the case of a multi-room air conditioner, since there are multiple rooms subject to air conditioning operation for one heat source unit, the operation mode adopted by the heat source unit can be set for each room. It can not be. Also in the multi-type air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1, whether or not the silent operation mode can be adopted is forcibly determined according to the operation time zone, and the demand for each room is considered. It is not configured.

  An object of the present invention is to adjust a request from each room when selecting one operation mode from a plurality of operation modes in a multi-room air conditioner having a heat source unit that can be switched to a plurality of operation modes having different silence levels. This is to enable a reasonable silent operation.

  The control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the first invention includes an operation mode assigning unit and an operation mode setting unit. The multi-room air conditioner has a heat source unit and a plurality of utilization units connected to the heat source unit via a refrigerant communication pipe. The heat source unit can be switched to a plurality of operation modes having different silence levels. A plurality of usage units are distributed and installed in a plurality of rooms. The operation mode assignment unit assigns one operation mode of the plurality of operation modes to each of the operation units being operated among the plurality of use units. The operation mode setting unit sets the heat source unit to one of the plurality of operation modes based on the operation mode assigned to each of the operating units being operated by the operation mode assignment unit. The operation mode setting unit sets the heat source unit to a predetermined operation mode under the first condition. The first condition refers to a state in which a predetermined operation mode among a plurality of operation modes is assigned to all operating units in operation.

  Here, a plurality of operation modes having different silence levels are prepared in the heat source unit of the multi-room air conditioner. When one operation mode is specifically selected from the plurality of operation modes during the operation of the multi-room air conditioner, first, a plurality of operation modes are set for each of all operating units in operation. One of the operation modes is assigned. Subsequently, as a result of assigning the operation mode to each of the usage units in this way, when the same predetermined operation mode is assigned to all the usage units in operation, the predetermined operation is performed. The mode becomes the operation mode of the heat source unit. Thus, here, the operation mode of the heat source unit is determined based on the operation mode assigned to the utilization unit. Therefore, in a multi-room type air conditioner having a heat source unit that can be switched to a plurality of operation modes having different silence levels, requests from each room are adjusted when selecting one operation mode from a plurality of operation modes, so that rational Quiet operation is possible.

A control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to a second invention is the control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the first invention, wherein a plurality of operation modes are based on a normal operation mode and a normal operation mode. And a plurality of silent operation modes in which the silent level is increased stepwise.
Here, a normal operation mode and a multistage silent operation mode are prepared for the heat source unit of the multi-room air conditioner. Therefore, it is possible to perform more detailed silent operation in accordance with the situation.

A control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to a third invention is a control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the first or second invention, wherein the multi-room air conditioner is an operation mode selector. It has further. The operation mode selection unit causes the user to select one operation mode among the plurality of operation modes via the operation unit being operated. The operation mode assigning unit assigns one of the plurality of operation modes to each of the operating units being operated based on the operation mode selected by the user via the operation mode selection unit.
Here, the user in the room where the usage unit is installed can request the operation mode through all the usage units in operation. Therefore, it is possible to collect and adjust requests from each room.

A control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to a fourth invention is the control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the second invention, wherein the heat source unit includes a heat exchanger and a heat source side fan. The heat source side fan sends air to the heat exchanger. Different limits are set for the rotation speed of the heat source side fan according to a plurality of operation modes.
Here, different limits are set for the operation frequency of the heat source side fan according to the operation mode. Thereby, the heat source unit can be operated in a plurality of operation modes having different silence levels.

A control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to a fifth invention is the control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the second or fourth invention, wherein the heat source unit has a compressor. Different limits are set for the operation frequency of the compressor according to a plurality of operation modes.
Here, different limits are set for the operating frequency of the compressor according to the operating mode. Thereby, the heat source unit can be operated in a plurality of operation modes having different silence levels.

  A control apparatus for a multi-room air conditioner according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the control apparatus for a multi-room air conditioner according to any of the first to fifth aspects of the invention, wherein the operation mode setting unit is a second condition. Below, the heat source unit is set to a predetermined operation mode. In the second condition, a predetermined operation mode is assigned to at least one of the operating usage units, and the capacity required by the room in which the remaining usage units are installed among the operating usage units. The state is all smaller than a predetermined value.

  Here, even when a predetermined operation mode is assigned to a part of the operating unit being used and another operation mode is assigned to the remaining operating unit, the usage to which the other operation mode is assigned is used. When it is determined that the required capacity from all the rooms where the units are installed is sufficiently small, the predetermined operation mode is set as the operation mode of the heat source unit. In other words, even if the demands of all the usage units in operation are not the same, if it is judged that the required capacity of the usage units that have different demands is sufficiently small, the operation mode with a high silent level This is because it is considered that the problem that the room is not sufficiently air-conditioned does not easily occur. Thus, when selecting one operation mode from a plurality of operation modes, it is possible to more rationally adjust requests from each room.

  The control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the seventh invention is the control device for the multi-room air conditioner according to the second, fourth, or fifth invention, wherein the operation mode setting unit is the third Under the conditions, the heat source unit is not set to an operation mode having a lower noise level than a predetermined silent operation mode. In the third condition, at least one of the operating units in operation is assigned a predetermined silent operation mode or a silent operation mode having a higher noise level than the predetermined silent operation mode among the plurality of silent operation modes. State.

  Here, even if it is from one usage unit, when a silent operation mode higher than a predetermined silent level is desired, an operation mode lower than the predetermined silent level is set as the operation mode of the heat source unit. There is nothing to do. This is because if the silent operation mode is lower than a certain level, even if the silent operation mode is executed, the problem that any room is not sufficiently air-conditioned is unlikely to occur. Thus, when selecting one operation mode from a plurality of operation modes, it is possible to more rationally adjust requests from each room.

A control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to an eighth invention is the control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to any of the first to fifth inventions, wherein the multi-room air conditioner has priority. A usage unit setting unit is further included. The priority use unit setting unit accepts a setting that gives priority to any one of a plurality of use units. Under the fourth condition, the operation mode setting unit sets the heat source unit to the operation mode assigned to the use unit for which priority is set. The fourth condition refers to a state in which the usage unit for which priority is set via the priority usage unit setting unit is in operation.
Here, it is possible to set the priority of the usage unit in which a request from a certain usage unit is given priority over requests from other usage units.

The control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the ninth invention is the control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the second, fourth, or fifth invention, wherein the multi-room air conditioner is It further has a capability priority setting unit. The capability priority setting unit receives a setting for giving priority to securing the capability to at least one of the plurality of usage units. The operation mode setting unit sets the heat source unit to the normal operation mode under the fifth condition. The fifth condition refers to a state in which the use unit that has been set with priority via the capability priority setting unit is in operation.
Here, even if there is only one usage unit, if there is a usage unit that requests operation with priority on ability, the silent operation mode is prohibited and only the operation in the normal operation mode is allowed. Can do.

  A control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to a tenth aspect of the invention is the control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the fourth aspect of the invention, further comprising a fan rotation speed correction unit. The multi-room air conditioner has an outside air temperature acquisition unit. The outside air temperature acquisition unit acquires the outside air temperature. The fan rotation speed correction unit corrects the rotation speed of the heat source side fan of the heat source unit that is operating in the silent operation mode when the outside air temperature acquired by the outside air temperature acquisition unit satisfies a predetermined condition.

  Generally, depending on the outside air temperature condition, a problem may be caused by a decrease in the rotation speed of the heat source side fan in the silent operation mode. Here, the outside air temperature is taken into consideration, and if necessary, correction is made to increase the rotational speed of the heat source side fan. In this way, problems associated with the introduction of the silent operation mode are taken into consideration, and a more comfortable silent operation is provided.

A control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to an eleventh aspect of the invention is the control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the tenth aspect of the invention, wherein the fan rotation speed correction unit is an outside air acquired by an outside air temperature acquisition unit. When the temperature is lower than the first temperature during the heating operation or higher than the second temperature higher than the first temperature during the cooling operation, the rotation speed of the heat source side fan is increased.
In general, when a silent operation mode with a certain level of noise level or more is performed during heating operation under low outside air conditions, the number of rotations of the heat source side fan is reduced, so that frost formation in the heat source side heat exchanger is performed. There may be a problem that the amount increases and the heating capacity decreases. In addition, when a silent operation mode with a certain level of noise level or higher is performed during cooling operation under high outside air conditions, the number of rotations of the heat source side fan is reduced, so the electrical components in the electrical component box in the heat source unit are reduced. There may be a problem that the product is not cooled sufficiently. Here, during execution of the silent operation mode, when the outside air temperature becomes too low during the heating operation, or when the outside air temperature becomes too high during the cooling operation, a correction is made to increase the rotation speed of the heat source side fan. The For this reason, it is possible to suppress the problem that the amount of frost formation in the heat source side heat exchanger and the electrical components are not sufficiently cooled.

  A control method for a multi-room air conditioner according to a twelfth aspect of the invention is a control method for a multi-room air conditioner, and includes an operation mode assignment step and an operation mode setting step. The multi-room air conditioner has a heat source unit and a plurality of utilization units connected to the heat source unit via a refrigerant communication pipe. The heat source unit can be switched to a plurality of operation modes having different silence levels. A plurality of usage units are distributed and installed in a plurality of rooms. In the operation mode assignment step, one operation mode of the plurality of operation modes is assigned to each of the operation units being operated among the plurality of use units. In the operation mode setting step, the heat source unit is set to one operation mode among a plurality of operation modes based on the operation mode assigned to each of the operating units in operation. In the operation mode setting step, the heat source unit is set to the same one operation mode under the first condition. The first condition refers to a state in which the same one operation mode among a plurality of operation modes is assigned to all operating units in operation.

  Here, a plurality of operation modes having different silence levels are prepared in the heat source unit of the multi-room air conditioner. When one operation mode is specifically selected from the plurality of operation modes during the operation of the multi-room air conditioner, first, a plurality of operation modes are set for each of all operating units in operation. One of the operation modes is assigned. Subsequently, as a result of assigning the operation mode to each of the usage units in this way, when the same predetermined operation mode is assigned to all the usage units in operation, the predetermined operation is performed. The mode becomes the operation mode of the heat source unit. Thus, here, the operation mode of the heat source unit is determined based on the operation mode assigned to the utilization unit. Therefore, in a multi-room type air conditioner having a heat source unit that can be switched to a plurality of operation modes having different silence levels, requests from each room are adjusted when selecting one operation mode from a plurality of operation modes, so that rational Quiet operation is possible.

In the control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the multi-room air conditioner having a heat source unit that can be switched to a plurality of operation modes having different silence levels, the operation mode is changed from a plurality of operation modes to one operation mode. The request from each room is adjusted at the time of selection, and a reasonable silent operation is possible.
With the control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to perform a more detailed silent operation that matches the situation.

In the control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the third invention, it is possible to collect and adjust requests from each room.
In the control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the heat source unit can be operated in a plurality of operation modes having different silent levels.
In the control apparatus for a multi-room air conditioner according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the heat source unit can be operated in a plurality of operation modes having different silence levels.

In the control apparatus for a multi-room air conditioner according to the sixth aspect of the invention, when selecting one operation mode from a plurality of operation modes, requests from each room can be more rationally adjusted.
In the control apparatus for a multi-room air conditioner according to the seventh aspect of the invention, when selecting one operation mode from a plurality of operation modes, requests from each room can be more rationally adjusted.
In the control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set the priority of the usage unit in which a request from a certain usage unit is given priority over requests from other usage units.

In the control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the silent operation mode is prohibited when there is a usage unit that requires an operation that gives priority to ability even if only one usage unit is used. Thus, only the operation in the normal operation mode can be allowed.
In the control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the tenth aspect, problems associated with the introduction of the silent operation mode are taken into consideration, and a more comfortable silent operation is provided.

In the control device for a multi-room air conditioner according to the eleventh aspect of the invention, it is possible to suppress the problem that the amount of frost formation in the heat source side heat exchanger and the electrical components are not sufficiently cooled.
In the control method for a multi-room air conditioner according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the multi-room air conditioner having a heat source unit that can be switched to a plurality of operation modes having different silence levels, the operation mode is changed from a plurality of operation modes. The request from each room is adjusted at the time of selection, and a reasonable silent operation is possible.

Hereinafter, a control device (heat source side control unit 20) and a control method of a multi-room air conditioner (air conditioner 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Air conditioner>
(1) Whole structure In FIG. 1, a mode that the air conditioner 1 was installed in the house 100 is shown. This air conditioner 1 has a configuration in which a plurality of utilization units 3 are connected in parallel to one heat source unit 2. The plurality of usage units 3 are installed in a distributed manner in a plurality of rooms R1, R2,..., Rn (n is an integer of 2 or more) in the house 100, and the heat source unit 2 is installed in the house. It is installed on the side of 100 buildings. That is, the air conditioner 1 is a multi-room air conditioner.

FIG. 2 shows the refrigerant circuit 10 of the air conditioner 1. The refrigerant circuit 10 of the air conditioner 1 is mainly configured by sequentially connecting a compressor 11, a four-way switching valve 12, a heat source side heat exchanger 13, a heat source side expansion valve 14, and a use side heat exchanger 16. A vapor compression refrigeration cycle is formed.
The compressor 11, the four-way switching valve 12, the heat source side heat exchanger 13 and the heat source side expansion valve 14 are included in the heat source unit 2, and the use side heat exchanger 16 is included in the use unit 3. The refrigerant circuit inside the heat source unit 2 and the refrigerant circuit inside the utilization unit 3 are connected by a gas refrigerant communication pipe 17a and a liquid refrigerant communication pipe 17b. The heat source unit 2 is also provided with an accumulator and other accessory devices, but the illustration is omitted here.

  The refrigerant circuit inside the heat source unit 2 is provided with a gas side closing valve 18a and a liquid side closing valve 18b. The gas side closing valve 18a is arranged on the four-way switching valve 12 side, and the liquid side closing valve 18b is arranged on the heat source side expansion valve 14 side. These shut-off valves 18a and 18b are opened after the heat source unit 2 and the utilization unit 3 are installed on site and the refrigerant communication pipes 17a and 17b are connected to the shut-off valves 18a and 18b, respectively.

The compressor 11 is a variable capacity inverter compressor, and the operating frequency of the motor Mc that drives the compressor 11 is controlled by an inverter 50 (see FIG. 3).
The heat source unit 2 is provided with a heat source side fan 19. The heat source side fan 19 sucks outdoor air into the casing of the heat source unit 2 by its rotation, and sends the sucked air to the heat source side heat exchanger 13 to promote heat exchange in the heat source side heat exchanger 13, The air after replacement is blown out of the casing of the heat source unit 2. The heat source side fan 19 is driven by a motor Mf controlled by an inverter 51 (see FIG. 3).

Further, an outside air temperature sensor 62 for detecting the temperature of outdoor air flowing into the heat source unit 2 (that is, the outside air temperature Ta) is attached in the casing of the heat source unit 2. A room temperature sensor 61 for detecting the temperature of room air flowing into the use unit 3 (that is, room temperature Tr) is attached.
Further, a heat source side control unit 20 is provided in the casing of the heat source unit 2, and a usage side control unit 30 connected to the heat source side control unit 20 is provided in the casing of the usage unit 3. . The heat source side control unit 20 is disposed in an electrical component box (not shown) disposed in the casing of the heat source unit 2. The heat source side control unit 20 controls the electric devices 11, 12, 14, and 19 included in the heat source unit 2 while communicating with the use side control unit 30, and the use side control unit 30 is connected to the heat source side control unit 20. The electronic device included in the utilization unit 3 is controlled while communicating. Moreover, the use side control part 30 can communicate with the remote control 40 for the user of each room Ri (i = 1, 2, ..., n) to operate the utilization unit 3 of the room Ri individually. It is possible.

(2) Driving operation Next, the driving operation of the air conditioner 1 will be described.
First, during the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 12 is held in a state indicated by a solid line in FIG. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 13 through the four-way switching valve 12, and is condensed by exchanging heat with outdoor air. The refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the heat source side heat exchanger 13 passes through the heat source side expansion valve 14 and flows into each usage unit 3 through the liquid side refrigerant communication pipe 17b. In the usage unit 3, the refrigerant evaporates by exchanging heat with room air in the usage-side heat exchanger 16. The room air cooled by the evaporation of the refrigerant is blown out into the room by a use side fan (not shown) to cool the room. Further, the refrigerant evaporated and vaporized in the use side heat exchanger 16 returns to the heat source unit 2 through the gas side refrigerant communication pipe 17 a and is sucked into the compressor 11.

  On the other hand, during the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 12 is maintained in a state indicated by a broken line in FIG. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the usage-side heat exchanger 16 of each usage unit 3 via the four-way switching valve 12, and is condensed by exchanging heat with room air. The room air heated by the condensation of the refrigerant is blown out into the room by the use side fan to heat the room. The refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the use side heat exchanger 16 passes through the liquid side refrigerant communication pipe 17b, passes through the heat source side expansion valve 14, and returns to the heat source unit 2. The refrigerant returned to the heat source unit 2 is further evaporated by exchanging heat with outdoor air in the heat source side heat exchanger 13. The refrigerant evaporated and evaporated in the heat source side heat exchanger 13 is sucked into the compressor 11 through the four-way switching valve 12.

<Heat source side controller>
(1) Overall Configuration The configuration of the heat source side control unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
The heat source side control unit 20 is a control circuit having a microcomputer 21 and a memory 25, and reads out and executes a program stored in the memory 25 on the microcomputer 21, whereby the compressor 11 included in the heat source unit 2. In addition, various electric devices such as the four-way switching valve 12, the heat source side expansion valve 14, and the heat source side fan 19 are controlled.

  The heat source side control unit 20 can receive information on the outside air temperature Ta detected by the outside air temperature sensor 62 and can receive the indoor temperature Tr detected by the indoor temperature sensor 61 via the use side control unit 30. it can. Further, the heat source side control unit 20 can also receive operation information in the usage unit 3 via the usage side control unit 30. Here, the driving information includes state information related to the driving state of each part of the use-side control unit 30, setting information related to driving settings input from the user via the remote controller 40, and the like. And in the heat source side control part 20, various electric equipments 11, 12, 14, 19, etc. are controlled based on these information.

The heat source side control unit 20 controls the compressor 11 by controlling the motor Mc via the inverter 50, and controls the heat source side fan 19 by controlling the motor Mf via the inverter 51. These inverters 50 and 51 are disposed in an electrical component box (not shown) in which the heat source side control unit 20 is disposed.
Further, the heat source side control unit 20 is provided with a priority use unit setting unit 26 in the form of a dip switch. The priority usage unit setting unit 26 accepts priority setting that prioritizes one usage unit 3 among all usage units 3 over other usage units 3. For example, when the user desires this priority setting, the user informs the person in charge to that effect. Then, the person in charge who receives the request visits the user's home and operates the DIP switch on the control circuit of the heat source unit 2, so that any one usage unit 3 is preferentially set.

(2) Silent operation modes I to III
The heat source unit 2 is provided with three silent operation modes I to III having a higher silent level than the normal operation mode. The silent operation mode II has a higher noise level than the silent operation mode I, and the silent operation mode III has a higher noise level than the silent operation mode II. In the silent operation modes I to III, the upper limit value Lc of the operating frequency of the compressor 11 and the upper limit value Lf of the rotation speed of the heat source side fan 19 are limited, whereby the operation of the compressor 11 and the heat source side fan 19 is performed. The sound is suppressed.

  FIG. 4 shows details of limitations on the upper limit values Lc and Lf in these three silent operation modes I to III. That is, in the silent operation mode I, the upper limit value Lc of the operation frequency of the compressor 11 and the upper limit value Lf of the rotation speed of the heat source side fan 19 are set to be rated. In the silent operation mode II, the upper limit value Lc of the operating frequency of the compressor 11 and the upper limit value Lf of the rotational speed of the heat source side fan 19 are each a predetermined amount (3 db (decibel in this embodiment) than in the normal operation mode. ) Equivalent) is set to be smaller. In the silent operation mode III, the upper limit value Lc of the operating frequency of the compressor 11 and the upper limit value Lf of the rotation speed of the heat source side fan 19 are each reduced by a predetermined amount (corresponding to 5 db in this embodiment) than in the normal operation mode. Set to Thereby, in the silent operation mode II, it is possible to suppress the operation sound by about 3 db on average than in the normal operation mode, and in the silent operation mode III, the operation sound is averaged on the average than in the normal operation mode. 5 db can be suppressed. In the silent operation mode I, the operation sound is suppressed more than in the normal operation mode, and the air conditioning capability of the air conditioner 1 is ensured to a minimum.

(3) Operation Mode Determination Processing The heat source unit 2 operates in any one of the four operation modes of one normal operation mode and three silent operation modes I to III. And the heat source side control part 20 performs the process which determines 1 operation mode employ | adopted by the heat source unit 2 among these 4 operation modes.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 5, a state in which one operation mode adopted by the heat source unit 2 among the four operation modes is determined by the heat source side control unit 20 will be specifically described.
The process according to the flowchart of FIG. 5 is performed when power is first applied to any of the utilization units 3 connected to the heat source unit 2 (that is, when the operation of the air conditioner 1 is started), or When a signal for selecting one of the four operation modes described above (hereinafter referred to as an operation mode selection signal) is sent to the heat source side control unit 20 from any of the operating usage units 3. Start. This operation mode selection signal is sent to one of the four operation modes by the user of the room Ri via the remote controller 40 installed in each room Ri (i = 1, 2,..., N). Is selected and immediately sent to the heat source side control unit 20 via the use side control unit 30 of the use unit 3 installed in the room Ri. The operation mode selection signal is “1” when the silent operation mode I is selected by the user, and becomes the signal “2” when the silent operation mode II is selected, and the silent operation mode III is selected. If it is, signal “3” is obtained. At this time, the remote controller 40 operates as an operation mode selection unit 41 that allows the user to select one of the four operation modes via the utilization unit 3. The user can select one of the four operation modes from the four operation modes via the remote controller 40 installed in the room Ri whenever the user 3 is operating the room Ri. .

  In step S <b> 51, the heat source side control unit 20 operates as the operation mode assignment unit 22. The operation mode allocating unit 22 uses, for each of all the usage units 3 in operation among all the usage units 3 installed in all the rooms R1, 2,..., Rn in the house 100. One of the four operation modes is assigned to 3. At this time, the operation unit indicated by the operation mode selection signal is assigned to the use unit 3 in the room Ri to which the operation mode selection signal has been sent, and the use unit 3 in the room Ri to which the operation mode selection signal has not been sent. Is assigned a normal operation mode.

  Next, in step S <b> 52, the heat source side control unit 20 operates as the operation mode setting unit 23. First, the operation mode setting unit 23 determines whether or not the usage unit 3 for which priority setting is performed via the priority usage unit setting unit 26 is in operation. When it is determined that this condition is satisfied, the operation mode assigned to the use unit 3 for which priority setting has been made is set as the operation mode adopted by the heat source unit 2, and the flow ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that this condition is not satisfied, the flow proceeds to step S53.

  In step S <b> 53, the operation mode setting unit 23 determines whether or not there is a usage unit 3 for which priority setting is set among all the usage units 3 in operation. If it is determined that this condition is satisfied, the normal operation mode is set to the operation mode adopted by the heat source unit 2, and the flow ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that this condition is not satisfied, the flow proceeds to step S54. The capability priority setting is a setting that prohibits the operation in the silent operation modes I to III and allows only the operation in the normal operation mode, and details thereof will be described later.

  In step S54, the operation mode setting unit 23 determines whether or not the silent operation mode III is assigned to all the usage units 3 in operation. If it is determined that this condition is satisfied, the silent operation mode III is set as the operation mode adopted by the heat source unit 2, and the flow ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that this condition is not satisfied, the flow proceeds to step S55.

  In step S55, the operation mode setting unit 23 determines whether or not the silent operation mode II is assigned to all the usage units 3 that are in operation. If it is determined that this condition is satisfied, the silent operation mode II is set to the operation mode adopted by the heat source unit 2, and the flow ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that this condition is not satisfied, the flow proceeds to step S56.

  In step S56, the operation mode setting unit 23 is assigned the silent operation mode II to at least one of the operating units 3 being operated, and the silent operation mode II is assigned to the operating units 3 being operated. It is determined whether or not the capacity requested by the room Ri where the remaining remaining usage units 3 are installed is smaller than a predetermined value. If it is determined that this condition is satisfied, the silent operation mode II is set to the operation mode adopted by the heat source unit 2, and the flow ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that this condition is not satisfied, the flow proceeds to step S57. The capacity requested by the room Ri is the difference between the set temperature set for the use unit 3 installed in the room Ri and the current room temperature Tr. And when calculating this capability, the indoor temperature Tr detected by the outdoor temperature sensor 61 is used.

  In step S57, the operation mode setting unit 23 determines whether or not any one of the silent operation modes I to III is assigned to at least one of the operating usage units 3. If it is determined that this condition is satisfied, the silent operation mode I is set to the operation mode adopted by the heat source unit 2, and the flow ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that this condition is not satisfied, the normal operation mode is set to the operation mode adopted by the heat source unit 2, and the flow ends.

(4) Correction process of upper limit value Lf of rotation speed of heat source side fan The heat source side control unit 20 repeats the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 6 at predetermined time intervals while the air conditioner 1 is in operation. At this time, the heat source side control unit 20 operates as the fan rotation speed correction unit 24. Further, the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 6 can be executed in parallel with the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 5 by the heat source side control unit 20.

In step S61, the fan rotation speed correction unit 24 determines whether or not the heat source unit 2 is operating in the silent operation mode II or III. If it is determined that the vehicle is driving, the flow proceeds to step S62. If it is not determined that the vehicle is driving, the flow ends.
In step S <b> 62, the fan rotation speed correction unit 24 receives information related to the outside air temperature Ta detected by the outside air temperature sensor 62.

Next, in step S63, the fan rotation speed correction unit 24 determines whether the heat source unit is in the heating operation or the cooling operation, and if it is determined that the heating operation is in the heating operation, the flow is as follows. The process proceeds to step S64, and if it is determined that the cooling operation is being performed, the flow proceeds to step S65.
In step S64, the fan rotation speed correction unit 24 determines whether or not the current outside air temperature Ta is lower than the first temperature (4 ° C. in the present embodiment) based on the information related to the outside air temperature Ta received in step S62. Judging. If it is determined that the value is low, the upper limit value Lf of the rotation speed of the heat source side fan 19 is corrected to the same value as in the normal operation mode, and the flow ends. In general, when the silent operation mode II or III is adopted during the heating operation under the low outside air condition, the number of frost formation in the heat source side heat exchanger 13 is reduced because the rotational speed of the heat source side fan 19 is reduced. There is a case where there is a problem that the heating capacity is lowered and the heating capacity is lowered. However, the occurrence of such a problem is suppressed by this step S64.

  In step S65, the fan rotation speed correction unit 24, based on the information related to the outside air temperature Ta received in step S62, is a second temperature at which the current outside air temperature Ta is higher than the first temperature (37 ° C. in the present embodiment). It is judged whether it is higher than. And when it is judged that it is high, the upper limit Lf of the rotation speed of the heat source side fan 19 is corrected so as to be the same value as in the normal operation mode, and the flow ends. Generally, when the silent operation mode II or III is adopted during the cooling operation under the high outside air condition, the number of revolutions of the heat source side fan 19 is reduced, so that the electrical components in the electrical component box in the heat source unit 2 are reduced. Although there may be a problem that the product is not sufficiently cooled, the occurrence of such a problem is suppressed by this step S65.

(5) Processing when capacity priority setting is selected When the silent operation modes I to III are adopted, the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 1 is somewhat reduced. Therefore, the user can operate in the silent operation modes I to III. It is possible to perform capability priority setting that prohibits the operation and allows only the operation in the normal operation mode. When performing the capability priority setting, the user inputs that the capability priority setting is to be performed to the remote controller 40 of the usage unit 30 installed in the room Ri where the setting is desired. At this time, the remote controller 40 operates as the capability priority setting unit 42. Then, the capability priority setting unit 42 immediately sends a signal indicating that the capability priority setting is performed to the heat source side control unit 20. On the other hand, the heat source side control unit 20 operates as the operation mode setting unit 23 when receiving the signal. At this time, the operation mode setting unit 23 makes a list of the utilization units 3 for which capacity priority has been set and stores them in the memory 25. Then, by referring to this list stored in the memory 25, the operation mode setting unit 23 can determine whether or not there is a use unit 3 for which the capability priority setting has been made in step S53 described above. It becomes possible. Further, when the operation mode setting unit 23 receives a signal indicating that the capacity priority setting is performed, the operation mode setting unit 23 immediately determines whether or not the heat source unit 2 is operating in any one of the silent operation modes I to III. And when it is judged that it is driving | operating in any of silent operation mode I-III, the present operation mode is switched to normal operation mode.

  This ability priority setting can also be canceled. At that time, the user inputs an instruction to cancel the capability priority setting to the capability priority setting unit 42 of the usage unit 30 installed in the room Ri where the setting is to be canceled. Then, the capability priority setting unit 42 immediately sends a signal indicating that the capability priority setting is canceled to the heat source side control unit 20. On the other hand, the operation mode setting unit 23 deletes the usage unit 3 from the list of usage units 3 for which the capability priority setting is stored, and performs the same processing as the processing according to the flowchart of FIG. Consider the optimal operating mode under the current conditions.

<Features>
(1)
In a multi-room type air conditioner, compared to a single type air conditioner, a plurality of utilization units are connected to one heat source unit, so the operating frequency of the compressor and the rotation speed of the heat source side fan And the driving noise tends to be excessive. However, if an excessive limit is imposed on the upper limit value of the operating frequency of the compressor or the upper limit value of the rotational speed of the heat source side fan for noise countermeasures, the performance as an air conditioner may be deteriorated.

In this regard, in the air conditioner 1, the requests of the users of the rooms Ri (1, 2,..., N) are collected by the heat source side control unit 20 via the remote controller 40, and the heat source side control unit 20 Therefore, the two purposes that are in a trade-off relationship between ability priority and silence priority can be achieved at the same time.
(2)
In the above embodiment, the signal “1” is selected when the silent operation mode I is selected by the user via the remote controller 40, and the signal “2” is selected when the silent operation mode II is selected. When III is selected, a signal “3” is generated, and this generated signal is immediately sent from the utilization unit 3 to the heat source unit 2. As described above, signals representing these requests exchanged between the utilization unit 3 side and the heat source unit 2 side need only be the same number as the type of the silent operation mode, and these three types are equivalent to one part of the normal operation mode. One operation mode to be set is determined by considering the four types of information including the types as many as the number of operating units 3 in operation. Therefore, the calculation load of the heat source side control unit 20 is too small.

<Modification>
(1)
The installation location of the air conditioner 1 is not limited to the house 100, and may be a building of another form in which a plurality of spaces to be air-conditioned exist.
(2)
The compressor 11 may be a combination of an arbitrary number of inverter compressors and constant capacity compressors that are controlled on and off.

(3)
In step S64 described above, the upper limit value Lf of the rotation speed of the heat source side fan 19 may not be set to the same value as in the normal operation mode, but may be corrected so as to increase by a predetermined amount or a predetermined rate. May be lowered by one step. In addition, the information regarding the predetermined amount or the predetermined rate used at this time may be stored in the memory 25 in advance, for example. The same applies when the upper limit Lf is corrected in step S65.

(4)
The three silent operation modes I to III shown in detail in FIG. 4 may be as follows. That is, in the silent operation mode I, the upper limit value Lc of the operating frequency of the compressor 11 and the upper limit value Lf of the rotation speed of the heat source side fan 19 are both set to ratings. In the silent operation mode II, the upper limit values Lc and Lf are set lower by a predetermined rate (for example, 10% to 30%) than in the silent operation mode I. In the silent operation mode III, the upper limit values Lc and Lf are set lower by a predetermined rate (for example, 10% to 30%) than the silent operation mode II. Further, in this case, the upper limit values Lc, Lf may be set according to the total capacity of the operating unit 30 during operation. For example, the upper limit values Lc, Lf are set in the silent operation modes II, III. The value of the predetermined rate that is a parameter for setting may be changed according to the total capacity of the operating unit 30 during operation.

  In a multi-room air conditioner having a heat source unit that can be switched to a plurality of operation modes having different silence levels, the demand from each room is adjusted when selecting one operation mode from the plurality of operation modes. The present invention is useful as a control device and a control method for a multi-room air conditioner having a heat source unit that has an effect that a reasonable silent operation is possible and can be switched to a plurality of operation modes having different silence levels.

The figure which shows a mode that the air conditioner was installed in the house. The figure which shows the structure of the refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner. The figure which shows the structure of a heat-source side control part. The figure which shows the detail of the restriction | limiting of the upper limit of the operating frequency of the compressor in the 3 silent operation mode, and the upper limit of the rotation speed of the heat source side fan. The flowchart which shows the process which determines 1 operation mode employ | adopted with a heat-source unit among 4 operation modes. The flowchart which shows the process which correct | amends the upper limit of the rotation speed of the heat source side fan.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioner 2 Heat source unit 3 Use unit 11 Compressor 13 Heat source side heat exchanger 17a Gas side refrigerant communication pipe 17b Liquid side refrigerant communication pipe 19 Heat source side fan 20 Heat source side control part 22 Operation mode allocation part 23 Operation mode setting part 24 fan rotation speed correction unit 26 priority use unit setting unit 41 operation mode selection unit 42 capacity priority setting unit 62 outside temperature sensors R1, R2..., Rn room

Claims (12)

A heat source unit (2) that can be switched to a plurality of operation modes with different silence levels, and a plurality of rooms (R1, R2...) Connected to the heat source unit (2) via refrigerant communication pipes (17a, 17b). , Rn) and a control device (20) for a multi-room air conditioner (1) having a plurality of use units (3) installed in a distributed manner,
An operation mode assignment unit (22) for assigning one operation mode of the plurality of operation modes to each of the operation units (3) in operation among the plurality of use units (3);
The heat source unit (2) is set to one of the plurality of operation modes based on the operation mode assigned to each of the operating use units (3) by the operation mode assignment unit (22). An operation mode setting unit (23) to perform,
With
The operation mode setting unit (23) is configured such that, under a first condition in which a predetermined operation mode among the plurality of operation modes is assigned to all the usage units (3) in operation, the heat source unit (2) Is set to the predetermined operation mode,
Control device (20) of a multi-room air conditioner (1). The plurality of operation modes include a normal operation mode and a plurality of silent operation modes in which the silent level is stepwise higher than the normal operation mode.
The control device (20) of the multi-room air conditioner (1) according to claim 1. The multi-room air conditioner (1)
An operation mode selection unit (41) for allowing a user to select one operation mode among the plurality of operation modes via the operation unit (3) during operation;
Further comprising
The operation mode allocating unit (22) is configured to assign each of the plurality of operations to each of the operating usage units (3) based on the operation mode selected by the user via the operation mode selection unit (41). Assign one of the operation modes,
The control device (20) of the multi-room air conditioner (1) according to claim 1 or 2. The heat source unit (2)
A heat exchanger (13);
A heat source side fan (19) for sending air to the heat exchanger (13);
Have
A different limit is set for the number of rotations of the heat source side fan (19) according to the plurality of operation modes.
The control device (20) of the multi-room air conditioner (1) according to claim 2. The heat source unit (2)
Compressor (11),
Have
Different limits are set for the operating frequency of the compressor (11) depending on the plurality of operating modes.
The control device (20) of the multi-room air conditioner (1) according to claim 2 or 4. The operation mode setting unit (23) has the predetermined operation mode assigned to at least one of the operating usage units (3), and the remaining usage units (3) in operation Under the second condition in which the capacity required of the rooms (R1, R2,..., Rn) in which the utilization unit (3) is installed is less than a predetermined value, the heat source unit (2) is set to the predetermined operation mode. Set,
The control device (20) for a multi-room air conditioner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The operation mode setting unit (23) has a silent level higher than a predetermined silent operation mode or the predetermined silent operation mode among the plurality of silent operation modes in at least one of the operating units (3) in operation. Under the third condition to which the silent operation mode is assigned, the heat source unit (2) is not set to an operation mode having a lower noise level than the predetermined silent operation mode.
The control device (20) for a multi-room air conditioner (1) according to claim 2, 4 or 5. The multi-room air conditioner (1)
A priority use unit setting unit (26) for receiving a setting for giving priority to any one of the plurality of use units (3);
Further comprising
The operation mode setting unit (23) is configured such that the heat source unit (2) is operated under a fourth condition in which the use unit (3) set with priority via the priority use unit setting unit (26) is in operation. Is set to the operation mode assigned to the use unit (3) for which the priority has been set,
The control device (20) for a multi-room air conditioner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The multi-room air conditioner (1)
An ability priority setting unit (42) for accepting a setting for giving priority to securing the ability to at least one of the plurality of use units (3);
Further comprising
The operation mode setting unit (23) is configured to switch the heat source unit (2) under a fifth condition in which the use unit (3) set with priority via the capability priority setting unit (42) is in operation. Set to the normal operation mode,
The control device (20) for a multi-room air conditioner (1) according to claim 2, 4 or 5. Fan speed correction unit (24),
Further comprising
The multi-room air conditioner (1)
An outside air temperature acquisition unit (62) for acquiring the outside air temperature;
Further comprising
When the outside air temperature acquired by the outside air temperature acquisition unit (62) satisfies a predetermined condition, the fan rotation speed correction unit (24) is configured to supply the heat source of the heat source unit (2) operating in the silent operation mode. Correct to increase the rotational speed of the side fan (19),
The control device (20) for the multi-room air conditioner (1) according to claim 4. The fan rotation speed correction unit (24) is configured such that the outside air temperature acquired by the outside air temperature acquisition unit (62) is lower than the first temperature during the heating operation or lower than the first temperature during the cooling operation. When the temperature is higher than the high second temperature, the rotational speed of the heat source side fan (19) is increased.
Control device (20) of the multi-room air conditioner (1) according to claim 10. A heat source unit (2) that can be switched to a plurality of operation modes with different silence levels, and a plurality of rooms (R1, R2...) Connected to the heat source unit (2) via refrigerant communication pipes (17a, 17b). , Rn), and a control method for the multi-room air conditioner (1) having a plurality of usage units (3) installed in a distributed manner,
An operation mode assignment step of assigning one operation mode of the plurality of operation modes to each of the operation units (3) in operation among the plurality of use units (3);
An operation mode setting step for setting the heat source unit (2) to one operation mode among the plurality of operation modes based on an operation mode assigned to each of the utilization units (3) in operation.
With
In the operation mode setting step, under a first condition in which the same one operation mode among the plurality of operation modes is assigned to all of the operation units (3) in operation, the heat source unit (2) Set to the same one operation mode,
Control method of multi-room type air conditioner (1).

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